Improvement in clamps



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ELIJAH K. PURDY, OF SCIIOOLCRAFT, MICHIGAN.

Leners Patent No. 82,985, ma october 13, 1868.

IMPROvEMENT IN CLAMPS.

M The Schedule referred to in these Letters Ptent and making part of the Bama.

' reference marked thereon, and being a part oi this speeiiica-tion, i n which- Figures l and 2 are perspective views of my clamp in ditierent positions.

The nature of my invention consists in constructing a-n apparatus to be used in laying floors, for pressing the floor-boards together, holding each board firmly in its proper position, until it is securely nailed therein;

likewise for securing matched ceiling or siding` iu a similar manner, and is also equally applicable for use 'as a movable bracket, upon two or more of which boards ina-y be laid, to form a scaiiold, thereby saving what would otherwise be a-vvaste of lumber and nails.

In order that others skilled iu the art may makeand use my invention, I will now proceed to describe the same, 'and name its various parts.

A are clamps, ot'vvood or meta-l, connected or hinged together, as at B, the, shorter arms terminating in pointed prongs C. One ofthe clamps A is prolonged on its longer arm, to forni the curved lever l). At the extremity of the longer arm of the other clamp is hinged the slotted lever E, in the slot of which freely vibrates the curved lever D. Fare holes through the slotted lever E, through one pair of which is passed a pin, so that when it is desired to force the prongs C into a joist or stud, (the clamps heilig open,) by bearing downon the lever E, the piu pressing againstthe yconvex side of the curved lever l), forces the upper ends ofthe clamps apart, and consequently the prongs C towards each other, and to enter the joist or stud which they embrace. G is a stop on the longer clamp, to prevent the slotted lever E fronrbcing forced too far down, and thus open the prongs and disengage them from the wood.' H is a brace attached to the outer end of the curved `lever D, and which serves as a dog, securing the apparatus at any` desired angle, its lower end being bent inthe form shovvnin the accompanying dra-Wings, that portion which rests upon and engages with the top of the joist being providedvvith an acute-angular and serrated edge, for better retaining` its hold thereon, and is continued around one side of the timber, as a strap, which, when used as a scaffold-bracket, is secured to the stud by a nail or spike through the hole I, provided for that purpose.

It ill readily be seen that vvh'en the operator has secured the p rongs C in the joist J, under and a little in advance of the floor-board K, by pushing forward the curved lever D, the floor-board K is forced into close proximity vvdth the next prece-ding one. At thesaine time, the sharp serrated edge ofthe brace H, engagiugwith the top ot1 the joist J, holds the Whole firmly until the board is securely nailed to its place.

That I claim as `1ny invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The Hoor-clamp, consisting of the clamps A, hinged together at B, and provided with prongsC, the curved lever D and slotted lever E, with `holes F, all constructed and arranged substantialv as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination with the above, the brace H, provided at its lower end with a sharp serra-ted edge and hole, I, substantiall.,Y as and for the purpose described.

' ELIJAH K. PURDY. Witnesses: p

' H. F. EBEnTs,

G. C. HYDE. 

